The Shevchenko Foundation (formerly the Ukrainian Canadian Foundation of Taras Shevchenko) is a national charitable trust headquartered in Winnipeg, Manitoba. Established in 1963 the Foundation has since evolved into a cornerstone of Ukrainian Canadian cultural preservation, with $65 million in assets under its stewardship. Governed by an appointed Board of Directors, the Foundation is committed to sustaining a permanent endowment to strengthen Ukrainian cultural identity in Canada, through the provision of grants, scholarships and cultural programming.

Reporting to the Board of Directors, the Executive Director serves as the focal point and face for the Foundation, striving to build visibility, effectively engage stakeholders and drive and measure impact. With a passion for Ukrainian culture and arts, they will drive community engagement, build relevant partnerships and work to demonstrate how the Foundation is critical to the preservation and promotion of Ukrainian culture in Canada. They will engage meaningfully with cultural groups across the country while dutifully managing and monitoring the Foundation’s operation, investments, fundraising and disbursements. . As the public face of the Foundation, the Executive Director champions advocacy and outreach initiatives, represents the organization at events, and enhances its visibility and national impact, ensuring the Shevchenko Foundation continues to thrive as a vital force in preserving and advancing Ukrainian Canadian heritage. In addition to collaborative initiatives, the Executive Director will independently lead and deliver major projects such as REACH and Kobzar, ensuring their successful execution and impact.

The ideal candidate will be a strategic and inspiring leader with a proven track record in organizational leadership, ideally within the not-for-profit or charitable sector. They bring demonstrated experience in governance, financial oversight, and people leadership, along with the ability to engage effectively with diverse stakeholders and cultivate strong community relationships. Strong financial acumen and fundraising capabilities are essential.

Most importantly, they will bring an understanding of, and a passion for, Ukrainian culture and heritage. Ideally, they will have proficiency in the Ukrainian language or have the ability to become fluent in short order. Entrepreneurial and results-oriented, this individual will thrive in a dynamic environment, balancing strategic vision with operational excellence to ensure the long-term sustainability and impact of the Shevchenko Foundation.

To Apply

To fill this position, the Shevchenko Foundation has partnered with leadership advisory firm Odgers. Applications are encouraged immediately and should be submitted online.

For more information, please contact Eric Slankis, Partner or Diana Pelaia, Consultant of Odgers. We would like to thank all applicants but regret that we are only able to personally contact those individuals whose backgrounds best match the requirements for the role.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

The Shevchenko Foundation is an equal opportunity employer. In accordance with the Accessible Canada Act, 2019 and all applicable provincial accessibility standards, upon request, accommodation will be provided by both Odgers and the Shevchenko Foundation throughout the recruitment, selection and/or assessment process to applicants with disabilities.

Odgers is deeply committed to diversity, equity, and inclusion in all the work that we do. As part of our efforts to better understand our ability to reach as broad a pool of candidates as possible for our searches, our DEI team would like to encourage you to take a moment and access our Self-Declaration Form.